**Ukraine‘s Western Allies Refuse to Impose New Sanctions on Russia Due to Mobilization Age Issue**
In a recent interview, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that his country’s refusal to lower the mobilization age to 18 has been a major factor in the lack of new sanctions imposed by its Western allies. This decision has been met with criticism from some partners, including the United States.
According to Zelensky, Ukraine updated its mobilization laws after Russia launched its full-scale invasion, lowering the minimum age for compulsory military service from 27 to 25. However, some Western countries have expressed concerns that this threshold is still too high. In response, Zelensky emphasized his opposition to mobilizing people as young as 18, citing concerns about their readiness and ability to participate in combat.
Interestingly, when discussing sanctions with Western partners, the issue of mobilization age has become a sticking point. It seems that some countries have been hesitant to impose new sanctions on Russia due to Ukraine’s refusal to mobilize 18-year-olds. Zelensky pointed out that it is not just about the number of people, but rather the availability of “weapons and technology” that makes a difference in the war effort.
A recent example of Ukraine’s innovative use of technology was the Operation Spiderweb, where Ukrainian forces used first-person-view (FPV) drones hidden in trucks to successfully hit 41 Russian military aircraft. This demonstrates the importance of investing in modern technology rather than relying solely on mobilizing more people.
Zelensky also emphasized that “money and exerting pressure” are crucial in forcing Russia to end its war efforts. He noted that sanctions targeting Russian finances would be a key factor in pressuring them to stop their military campaign.
**Personnel Shortages and the War Effort**
Throughout the conflict, Ukraine has struggled with personnel shortages. Despite adopting significant reforms to the draft process, mobilization slowed down in autumn, leaving front-line units severely depleted. Russia’s superior numbers have allowed them to advance at record rates in eastern Ukraine while suffering heavy losses.
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